Buenos Aires Opera: Teatro Colón 2014 Program

The Opera Season has just started in the Southern Hemisphere and we are thrilled to share Teatro Colón 2014 programme.

Teatro Colón is Buenos Aires Opera Theater. It is considered one of the five best concert venues in the world, thanks to a nearly perfect accoustic. In addition, the building itself is magnificent. The cupola was decorated by a beautiful Raúl Soldi fresco.

The 2014 Opera season will feature several classical pieces (The Barber of Seville, Falstaff, Madama Butterfly, Tristan and Isolde, among others) as well as a couple of modern productions (Caligula, Requiem).

Caligula by Detlev Glanert

From April 1st to April 8 Libretto by Hans-Ulrich Treichel based on Albert Camus Musical Direction: Ira Levin

The Colón Theater has a tradition of taking bets at modern, less-known pieces. This year, the season opened with Caligula, a premiere in Latinamerica. The piece was inaugurated only 8 years ago in Frankfurt. Detlev Glanert is a disciple of Hans Werner Henze. He based this opera on Albert Camus’ Caligula. The piece combines an impressive instrumental and vocal composition with a fascinating plot of human insanity. A great discovery.

The Barber of Seville by Rossini

From April 29 to May 6 Libretto by Cesare Sterbini based on Pierre de Beaumarchais Musical Direction: Miguel Ángel Gómez Martínez

Over the last two years, the Colón Theater presented the two other pieces of the Beaumarchais trilogy: I due Figaro in 2012 and The Marriage of Figaro in 2013. This year, the Colón Theater completes the Figaro saga with Rossini’s Barber of Seville, under the direction of choreographer Mauricio Wainrot.

Requiem

From June 1 to June 17 Libretto by Matthew Jocelyn based on William Faulkner Musical direction by Christian Baldini

Based on William Faulkner’s Requiem for a Nun, the piece is an absolute premiere. It was commissioned and produced by Colón Theater to Argentine composer Oscar Strasnoy. A promising presentation.

Idomeneo by Mozart

From July 8 to July 15 Libretto by Giambattista Varesco based on Antoine Danchet Musical Direction: Ira Levin

Idomeneo was the piece that launched Mozart as an Opera composer. He was 25 years old. The plot is set up in mythological Crete, just after the Trojan War.

Tristan and Isolde by Wagner

From August 4 to August 12 Libretto by Richard Wagner Musical Direction: Daniel Baremboim With the West-East Divan Orchestra

Tristan and Isolde might the most expected performance this year at Colón Theater, featuring the baton of world-known Argentine Director Daniel Barenboim. In this presentation, in concert version, Colón Theater presents the second act of Wagner’s Opera, when lovers meet at night and declare their impossible love.

Falstaff by Verdi

From September 16 to September 23 Libretto by Arrigo Boito, based on William ShakespeareMusical Direction: Roberto Paternostro

Because a good Opera Season cannot miss at least one Verdi piece. A classic Verdi comedy, in a new production by the Colón Theater.

Elektra by Richard Strauss

From October 28 to November 4 Libretto by Hugo von HofmannsthalMusical Direction: Roberto Paternostro

Elektra one-act opera is known as one of the most musically complex work from Richard Strauss. Centered on Agamemnon’s daughter, it is a modern retelling of the Greek myth.

Madama Butterfly by Puccini

From November 25 to December 2 Libretto by Luigi Illica y Giuseppe Giacosa based on David Belasco, John Luther Long and Pierre Loti Musical Direction: Ira Levin

The 2014 Opera Season will close on one of the most performed operas in the world. Puccini’s endearing character Cio-Cio San will be impersonated by American Soprano Patricia Racette.